A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

tie Wiebe remind us, "narrow viewpoints in regard to youth work had to be overcome." 42 The first youth organizations among Mennonite Brethren of the United States were known as Jugendvereine (youth associations or youth fellowships). 43 These Jugendvereine were begun in most of the churches in the early years and have provided opportunities for self-expression and the involvement of many young people. The Jugendverein was in several ways a unique institution. According to Walter and Katie Wiebe, it TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE 229 served an admirable purpose in providing a common experience of Christian fellowship and service for old and young Christians. In these services old and young joined in testimonies, Bible reading and song. . . . Christian Endeavor was an integrating factor in the spiritual life of our churches. There is nothing like it in many of our churches today. " One thing seems clear from the available records of the early decades of church life in North America: Mennonite Brethren congregations did not experience any "generation gap" or "communication gap" between the older and younger members in those days. In later years, especially in the 1920's the Jugendverein underwent a gradual transformation. The young people's societies were organized along constitutional lines with a specific membership." There also appeared a shift in emphasis from mutual fellowship to public service. "In many churches," Alan Peters observes, "the Jugendverein de- veloped into a periodic Sunday evening service for the benefit of the whole church, where youth in the church presented a program of general interest to the whole church. Thus, the Jugendverein was no longer a ministry for youth, but a ministry by youth. During the 1930's youth leaders and concerned pastors became increasingly aware of the inadequacies of the traditional pattern of youth work. Many young people as well felt the need for a program designed exclusively to meet the spiritual and social needs of youth. The "youth fellowships" (the English equivalent of the Jugendvereine) that came into existence in most churches prior to World War II were a direct response to a growing need throughout the brotherhood. In 1945, J. W. Vogt, chairman of the Youth Committee of the General Conference, was able to report on this new phenomenon in the M. B. constituency. The Christian Fellowship organizations are increasing slowly but steadily throughout our General Conference. We attribute this to the fact that they are filling a definite need for Bible study and spiritual fellowship of our young people everywhere. The support given to this organization by the local churches is greatly appreciated and we trust the C.F. will be a strengthening factor spiritually and morally of our whole conference constituency. Our committee has been assisting young people in organizing a Christian Fellowship upon their request as much as was possible to do throu